Let Me Live

Do more than just walk through a forest or national park. Live your life there for every moment that you can.

Take nothing but pictures, Leave nothing but footprints.

Only footprints? But what about handprints? If I stumble over this root, Can I catch my fall And leave my handprint In the dust of this trail? When I stand again On my own two feet Making acceptable footprints, Can I place my hand Against this tree trunk? Surely it would be permissible To rest my forehead On the back of my hand On the tree trunk While I catch my breath. Let me inhale, Replenish my lungs With precious forest air, Or is that taking more than pictures? May I exhale And leave behind My putrid, disdainful Carbon dioxide? That scourge of man and beast; Life-giver to every bit of Flora in this forest? May I sit On this rock? May I leave my Butt print In this glorious green moss? Let me take in This beautiful sight! Let me cherish these flowers Of orange and blue. Let me marvel at the Grace of this butterfly. Let me have these memories. I want pure emotion! Not Polaroids Or pixels on a computer screen. Let me leave behind a piece of me! Let the stillness Take away my panic. Let the beauty Take away my fear. Let the glory Take away my hatred. I want to give back! I give this forest My kindness, My thankfulness, My bliss. Let me take. Let me leave. Let me receive. Let me give. Let me live.

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